For the Family Traveler

Adventure Park Alpine Coaster

Experience family fun at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park! A mountain is ideal for many things – hiking, skiing, hang gliding, but it’s not the most logical location for a theme park. Yet, situated 7, 100 feet above sea level in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, is America’s only mountaintop theme park. Bring out your inner scientist as you study stunning caverns and formations in Colorado’s largest show cave. Or, bring out your wild side as you fly down the mountain on Colorado’s first alpine coaster. Whatever your family enjoys, Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is sure to please everyone.

The Park transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season with its “Winter on the Mountain” event. Visitors can experience the park’s attractions, including cave tours, thrill rides like the Alpine Coaster, and dazzling light displays, all while enjoying the festive atmosphere. The park also features live music, holiday treats, and even visits from Santa on select dates.

Ice Skating

Ice skating in the Vail Valley looks and feels like something out of a movie. Many of the ice rinks are situated in the middle of the village, surrounded by galleries, shops, cafes, restaurants and fire pits. Each ice rink has it’s own feel, some being more intimate than others. Beaver Creek’s ice rink is the ideal place to create new memories and be inspired by your surroundings. Vail’s Alderhof Ice Rink at the Arrabelle (Vail Square) is the type of rink that will make adults will feel like kids again with twinkling lights! Vail Villages’s Solaris Ice Rink allows visitors to enjoy skating in center of Vail village with its spectacular panoramic views of Vail ski mountain. And lastly, for a larger indoor ice rink in Vail, the Dobson Ice Arena is open year-round and features public skating, private lessons, hockey, bumper-cars, and special events such as concerts. There is also an ice rink in Eagle at the Eagle Pool & Ice Rink, which is an indoor NHL-sized rink.

Indoor Fun

Eagle Climbing + Fitness is a first class indoor climbing facility offering top-rope, lead climbing, and bouldering, along with options for everyone, from beginners to professional climbers. A complete fitness center and yoga studio provides training options and classes for all athletes, climbers and non-climbers alike.

Vail Rec District’s Imagination Station, a thoughtful play space, features a play wall to integrate physical and cognitive learning, a hyperbolic funnel that models the planetary motion, and a health clinic that promotes imaginative play where children can provide care for dogs, cats and babies.

Mountain Recreation facilities are the perfect place to visit when vacationing in the Vail Valley area. With indoor pools, water slides, drop in gymnastics for little ones, trampolines, skate parks, soccer fields, ice skating, and so much more, there is something for everyone! Visit mountainrec.org to learn more and see our drop-in and program schedules.

You don’t have to be a local to enjoy our four libraries. The Vail Public Library offers library cards for visitors. In addition to books, there’s a robotics section and 3-D printers as well. A community center, the Vail Public Library also has free concerts and a healthy living series with activities like yoga in the park.

The Eagle Valley Library District has locations in Avon, Eagle and Gypsum. Free story times throughout the week cater to children with sessions in both English and Spanish.

Playgrounds

In the Vail Valley, we love to be outside, and that’s true even for the littlest locals. Playgrounds are abundant throughout the valley and include:

  • Pirate Ship Park in Vail
  • Donovan Park in Vail
  • Red Sandstone Park in Vail
  • Lionshead’s Birds Nest in Vail
  • Nottingham Park in Avon
  • Pavilion Park in Eagle Vail
  • Brush Creek Park in Eagle
  • Freedom Park & Skatepark in Edwards

Rafting

Once the snow runoff increases the water level in the rivers, you can’t help but feel the adrenaline rush. Jump on the Eagle, Arkansas or Colorado rivers with one of the rafting companies – you won’t be disappointed, we promise.

Skiing & Snowboarding

When you’re skiing with the family, check out the specially marked “kid zones” on the Vail and Beaver Creek trail maps for guaranteed family fun in specially designed kid areas around the mountains. If you go to Beaver Creek don’t miss their freshly baked cookies, daily at 3pm, at the base of Haymeadow and Centennial, or stop by the Candy Cabin, where you can share all sweet treat together and warm up indoors.

New to skiing or snowboarding? Try a private family lesson where the thoughtful instructors tailor every moment on the mountain to you.

Sleigh Ride

Crisp mountain air, star-lit skies, and a horse-drawn sleigh await you at Bearcat Stables and 4 Eagle Ranch. Enjoy a ride in the carriage with your family and then enjoy a warm meal in an authentic ranch setting. Both locations let you experience a piece of Colorado history.

Swimming Pools

Outdoor Public Swimming Pools:

  • EagleVail Pool: The EagleVail Pool is open mid May through early September and is open to both EagleVail residents and non-residents.  This salt-water pool includes a smaller kiddy pool with beach entry as well as a 25 meter lap pool with a water slide.
  • Eagle Pool: The outdoor pool features a zero-depth entry, two water slides, lazy river and a separate six-lane lap pool.
  • Gypsum Creek Pool: This outdoor pool overlooks the beautiful Gypsum Creek Gold Course. There is always one lap lane available and is first come first serve.

Indoor Public Swimming Pools:

  • Avon Rec Center: This indoor pool offers a 5-lane lap pool, a lazy river, zero-depth entry kids pool, 140-foot water slide, water climbing wall, diving board, hot tub, sauna and steam room.
  • Gypsum Rec Center: The Gypsum Pool has everything from a lap pool, to a play pool containing a water playground for smaller children, a water slide, a lazy river and even a sauna and hot tub.

Ziplining

Ziplining is a one-of-a-kind adventure, as you soar among cliff faces and between treetops! Check out Zip Adventures in Wolcott or AVA Rafting and Zipline out of Idaho Springs. These zipline courses will get you pumping – the farther you go, the higher the exhilaration!

Lodging

When it comes to staying in Colorado’s iconic Vail Valley, the possibilities are as breathtaking as the scenery. Choose your adventure from cozy condominiums, ranches and private homes to boutique hotels, full-service resorts and hostels — there’s a style for every traveler.

Restaurants & Bars

In the Vail Valley, eating isn't merely sustenance - it's an important part of the lifestyle. From fine dining hotspots to casual comforts, it's not hard to find great food. Colorado is known for their locals breweries, distilleries and even wineries. Come sample a taste of Colorado and even international spirit favorites.

Vail Valley Events

Ski terrain and wonderful snow put the Vail Valley on the map, but it's more than just a ski resort. The calendar is packed with events that are a big part of the Vail Valley's culture. From outdoor concerts at the Ford Amphitheater to bull riding at the rodeo, it's easy to stay busy.